INGLEWOOD, Calif.-- L.A. loves an underdog story — and who better to embody that than Russell Westbrook in his 17th NBA season? The former Clipper was traded in a cap-clearing move after Paul George’s departure last summer. His ball-dominant style and inconsistent shooting no longer fit alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, so the Clippers sent him to Utah for Kris Dunn, aiming for a defensive upgrade. The Jazz waived Westbrook, clearing a path for him to sign with Denver.
And let’s be honest — no one, maybe not even the Nuggets, expected they were getting a game-changing postseason weapon.
Now, his return to L.A.—one year later, helping push the Clippers to the brink—feels ripped from a Hollywood script.
With Denver leading the series 3–2, the Clippers return home fighting to stay alive.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue has chosen to load up on Nikola Jokić in this series, daring Westbrook and the Nuggets’ supporting cast to beat them down the stretch. They’ve answered the call.
In the playoffs, Westbrook is averaging 13 points and 3 rebounds while shooting nearly 40% from the field and from three — but the numbers don’t tell the full story. Once labeled an erratic shooter with limitations, he’s now knocking down open looks and energizing Denver’s second unit. His true calling card has always been his motor, heart, and fire. For years, teams gambled on his upside. This time, it’s paying off.
Yes, Jokić is an MVP finalist, dismantling the Clippers piece by piece. Yes, Jamal Murray caught fire and dropped 43 in Game 5. But Westbrook’s contributions are headline-worthy too—quietly becoming a vital part of Denver’s playoff edge and thriving alongside the team’s established stars.
After a Game 3 win, Tyronn Lue acknowledged Westbrook’s improved shooting:
“I think he’s shooting 43% from the corners and 53% uncontested from the corners. We want to be active, we want to help, but we just can’t leave Russ in the corner—he’s proven he can make those shots. We can’t just leave him.”
Let’s not forget—Russell Westbrook is no scrub.
He’s one of just three players in NBA history to average a triple-double in a regular season—and he’s done it four times. He holds the all-time record for career triple-doubles, is a 9-time All-Star, a 2-time All-Star Game MVP, and the 2017 NBA MVP.
In the playoffs, rotation pieces tilt games—and Westbrook’s impact is undeniable. Once criticized for refusing to take a backseat, he now excels in a reduced role, redefining himself as a dynamic spark off the bench. He’s playing like the playoffs’ Sixth Man of the Year—knocking down key shots and flipping momentum with his presence alone.
After Game 5, Westbrook said:
“I don’t take the game for granted. Basketball is a rhythm game. And yes, scoring is part of it, but energy and effort—that’s how I get my rhythm.”“I tell myself every night—have fun. My fun might not look like a smile or high-fives. But when I’m intense and competing, I’m having the best time.”
In both sports and life, it’s not just about the box score or the accolades—it’s about the journey. From franchise cornerstone to journeyman—most recently cast aside by the Clippers—to finding a home and a new identity in Denver, Westbrook has scripted a comeback no one saw coming.
His relentless energy and drive prove that greatness isn’t about fitting the mold—it’s about rising from the ashes, redefining your role, and showing that even in the shadows, you can still be the star.
Because sometimes, the greatest weapon... isn’t the one you hold, but the one you let go.